During a visit to the 244,000-acre park, located an hour east of Rapid City, South Dakota, travelers can see the beautiful and bizarre results of thousands of years of erosion that have left behind vivid orange, red, purple, yellow and white sedimentary layers.
The site is renowned for its countless fossil beds, which date back to the Oligocene Epoch of the Age of Mammals. Skeleton remains of species ranging from horses and camels to saber-tooth cats and creatures resembling rhinos have been unearthed in the park.
The typical starting place for exploration is the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Groups can see exhibits covering the area’s human history, paleontology, geology, wildlife and prairie ecosystem, and watch the 20-minute introductory film, “Land of Stone and Light,” in the theater.
The summer months are when a majority of the ranger-led programs take place and are when the Fossil Prep Lab—where visitors can watch as paleontologists work with fossils—is open. Other popular activities include wildlife viewing, driving tours, nature walks and night-sky programs.
For more information, visit nps.gov/badl or call +1.605.433-5361.
Top photo by blackhillsbadlands.com
